March 9, 2011

Today is Ash Wednesday the first day of the season of Lent. Christians are invited to the altar to receive the imposition of ashes. Ashes are applied on the forehead in the form of a cross. Imposition of ashes reminds penitent of their sins and the good news that through Jesus Christ crucified there is forgiveness for all sins.

Ashes remain in the foreheads throughout the day not for any other reasons but Christians do it as a witness that all people are sinners and needs repentance. That through faith and Jesus Christ all sins are forgiven. The Imposition of ashes like any other similar traditional Christian practices is meaningless unless there is inner repentance and change of behaviour. Christians however are free to observe or not to observe it.

Though this is recommended for Christians as a great opportunity for repentance and spiritual renewal with the support of confession and forgiveness.

February 28, 2011

There are many water falls in the world and one of the most popular is Niagara falls located right on the border between Canada and America. Both surrounded by twin cities, Niagara Falls, Ontario and Niagara Falls New York. Declared to be a favorite and famous tourist attraction in the world and honeymoon destination. Geologist believed that the falls formed through erosion from Niagara River, exposed old marine rocks from many years ago including melted glaciers. It has three separate waterfalls the Horseshoe Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and American falls. Six million cubic feet of water spill over the falls every minute, majority coming from Horseshoe Falls. Water falls from high up to 170 ft.

In the Philippines there are also known waterfalls. One is the Tinuy-and falls, in fact it was advertised as Niagara Falls in the Philippines. It is the main tourist attraction in the Booming city by the bay, Bislig city, Surigao Del Sur. Tinuy-an falls is one of the best waterfalls in the Philippines just like Niagara Falls the water also flows from three different levels. It is 55 meters or 180 ft high 95meters wide. Rainbow is known to appear every morning from 9:0o am to 11:00 am.

Nice falls isn’t it? I’ve never been to this place although I have seen most of it on TV and ads. I am hoping to get there anytime soon. The water seems so cool and clean. I always like rainbow too ever since, it is nice to look at and soothing to the eyes…there is a feeling of relief every time i see a rainbow. I guess it would be a different feeling watching rainbow in a cool morning beside a waterfalls.

February 13, 2011

Valentine’s Day is a special day around the world and every country has its unique way of celebrating it. Valentines Day is a day of lovers irrespective of age. It is celebrated with much interest and gusto. People of all ages celebrate this day exchanging love messages and honor St. Valentine the patron saint of lovers. Lovers give passionate gifts, flowers, cards and chocolates and are commonly seen in various hot spots like restaurants, cinemas, and so on. Others organize a party just to make this day alive.

Different ideas emerged as to the history of Valentine’s Day. There are also many versions of valentine’s story. Experts said it begin from a Roman named St. Valentine who refused to gave up Christianity and was a sacrificial victim and died on February 14, 269 A.D. Folk tale declared he had become friend with the jailer’s daughter and eventually left a fare well note for her which says “From Your Valentine”. Another story said he was a priest at the temple during the reign ofEmperor Claudius who jailed him for disobedience. Pope Gelasius in 496 A.D. declared February 14 to honour St. Valentine. It was then in 1800’s when commercial valentine’s card was first introduced.

There are many ways and different traditions in celebrating Valentine’s Day. In Wales hearts, keys and keyholes are favorite decorations in carved spoons as gift. It is interesting to know that in Japan ladies buy chocolates for men. Then after a month (March 14) they call “The white Day” the men will give white chocolate in return to ladies who remembered them on this special day. In Britain Magazines and tabloids publish poems and verses to commemorate this day. It has also been a long time tradition in Austria and Germany for men to buy flowers for their sweethearts on this special day but have to make sure their sweethearts like the color and fragrance of the flower.

Different gifts, different traditions and giving of flowers surely add romance and excitement to the occasion. No matter where you are and what traditions you believed in as we celebrate valentine’s day let your loved ones know how much you appreciate them, express your feelings freely and let them know how much they mean to you.